turn to
Britishverb
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Begin work, apply oneself to, as in Next he turned to cutting wood for the fire . This usage was first recorded in 1667.
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Refer to, consult, as in She turned to the help-wanted ads . This usage was first recorded in 1631.
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Appeal to, apply to for help, as in At a time like this one turns to one's closest friends , or We'll have to turn to the French consulate for more information . This usage was first recorded in 1821. Also see turn to good account .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When I want more grit, I turn to “Masterpiece Mystery” on PBS, where a new season of “Maigret” starts Sunday, Oct.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026
After being granted leave to remain, asylum seekers are classed as refugees and must leave UK Home Office accommodation - at this point they can turn to local councils for assistance.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
The UN may also turn to Nepal's porters, accustomed to carrying heavy loads through some of the world's toughest mountain terrain during trekking and climbing expeditions.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
Employees without emergency savings are twice as likely to turn to their retirement funds for loans or withdrawals, Fidelity has said previously.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026
My hard heart wanted to turn to her and say, cold and sharp, “I’d prefer not to, Ms. Washington,” snap my head back to forward, and that would be that.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
